How we cite our quotes: (Section.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Papa was an artist. He was waiting for a breakthrough. That's what he always said. He was currently working on big sculptures made of found objects. Pieces of old machines, tree limbs, and broken furniture filled the garage and spilled out onto the driveway. They were scattered across the yard, too. Billy loved watching Papa work. (1.1.26)
Sounds like art is a hodge-podge event around the Miller house. Papa loves making art and he's not putting too many rules in place—instead he likes to work with odds and ends from all over, and it turns out that he makes some seriously unique art. Plus, keep an eye out for how art becomes a cool bonding experience for Billy and his pops.
Quote #2
"Does any of this speak to you?" Papa asked. He rotated the driftwood in his hands, eyeing it critically. "Any ideas how your old Papa can turn these lovely bits of rummage into art?" (1.4.32)
Papa can be a poetic guy. When he looks at the pieces he's collected from the local garbage dump, he doesn't call them trash—nope, he dubs them "lovely bits of rummage." What do you think of Papa's tone here? Does he sound sarcastic to you, or is he being sincere? And what makes this rummage "lovely" anyway? Let's hope Billy has some answers.
Quote #3
"I like it," said Billy. "What is it?"
"Good question," Papa replied.
Before them stood the broken-down cello Papa had found at the dump. He'd attached four store-mannequin arms to the cello, two on each side.
"It looks like the cello is playing itself," said Billy.
Papa nodded thoughtfully.
"And it sort of reminds me of a spider," said Billy. (2.1.21-26)
If you ask us, Billy seems like a pretty great art critic. He dives right into interpreting Papa's new creations, like the four-armed cello in the garage. And we're totally on board with what Billy has to say. In fact, looking at Papa's art has us realizing that Billy is a really creative guy, too. Maybe he takes after his old man more than he knows.